What the Bible says about Light and Darkness
(From Forerunner Commentary)
God's Word is a lamp, a light that illuminates the darkness. If a person walks through the woods at night, he is well served to have a flashlight with him to shine it on the ground in front of him so that his feet do not trip over a snag in the path, or his shins do not encounter a boulder or fallen log. That is what light does: It illuminates or reveals.
God's Word illuminates the path of our lives. If we keep God's Word shining along the way, then we will be far less likely to trip. We will not be easily deceived. Because we are following the light, we will see what the light reveals in the path ahead of us. It is only when we turn the light off (before we have actually arrived at our destination) that something could spring up in the dark and trip us. Therefore, if we keep the light of God's truth shining brightly ahead of us, then we have a greater chance of avoiding deception.
Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Preventing DeceptionRelated Topics: Deception | God's Word | God's Word as Light | God's Word is Truth | God's Words as Light | Lamp of Truth | Lamps as Metaphors | Light | Light and Darkness | Light as a Symbol | Light as Metaphor of Truth | Truth | Word of God
God's Word lights the way to go, so that he does not trip or wander, so that he stays in the way.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Two)Related Topics: Lamp Image | Lamp of Truth | Lamps as Metaphors | Light | Light and Darkness | Light as a Symbol | Light as Metaphor of Truth | The Way | Truth
The symbolism of light or a lamp is used to show direction or instruction received as a result of understanding of God's Word. In other words, the person can walk, live his life, because light, truth, is given to him.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Truth (Part 3)Related Topics: Lamp Image | Lamp of Truth | Lamps as Metaphors | Light | Light and Darkness | Light as a Symbol | Light as Metaphor of Truth | Truth
Until this point, the prophecy foretells a wonderful event, but verse 7 introduces a sobering side of God's work: He creates calamity! He links two contrasting sets of events: light and peace—representing constructive, hopeful, encouraging events—against darkness and calamity—representing destructive, fearful, discouraging circumstances. God creates both "good" and "bad" circumstances for His people and purpose.
John W. Ritenbaugh
God's Sovereignty and the Church's Condition (Part One)